Both the king snake and the endangered eastern indigo snake are nonvenomous but will kill and eat venomous snakes. Rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths (also known as water moccasins), and coral snakes are the significant venomous snakes in the United States. The coral snake, not a pit viper, has a round pupil, small head, and slender body. The rat snake, common in many regions of the United States, can be 6 feet long and is an excellent climber. 2 3 4 6 8 What’s Your Snake IQ? 1. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake 2. Cottonmouth (also known as Water Moccasin) 3. Coral Snake 4. Copperhead 5. Timber Rattlesnake 6. Milk Snake 7. Eastern Indigo Snake 8. Rat Snake (Photo credit: Jessica Nelson) Pit vipers have a wide, triangular head, vertical pupils, and a heavy body. venomous nonvenomous 1 5 7 The scarlet snake, scarlet king snake, and milk snake have markings similar to the venomous coral snake. Remember: Red on yellow, kill a fellow. Red on black, friend of Jack.
Transcript
Both the king snake and the endangered eastern indigo snake are nonvenomous but will kill and eat venomous snakes.
Rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths (also known as water moccasins), and coral snakes are the significant venomous snakes in the United States.
The coral snake, not a pit viper, has a round pupil, small head, and slender body.
The rat snake, common in many regions of the United States, can be 6 feet long and is an excellent climber.
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8
What’s Your Snake IQ?1. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake 2. Cottonmouth (also known as Water Moccasin) 3. Coral Snake 4. Copperhead 5. Timber Rattlesnake 6. Milk Snake 7. Eastern Indigo Snake 8. Rat Snake (Photo credit: Jessica Nelson)
Pit vipers have a wide, triangular head, vertical pupils, and a heavy body.
venomous
nonvenomous
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5
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The scarlet snake, scarlet king snake, and milk snake have markings similar to the venomous coral snake. Remember:
Red on yellow, kill a fellow. Red on black, friend of Jack.
• Most snakes are nonvenomous.
• The most common snake in the Southeast is the nonvenomous rat snake. It is an excellent climber and is often found in trees or barn lofts.
• Six venomous snakes are native to the Southeast: five pit vipers (copperhead, cottonmouth, pygmy rattlesnake, Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake) and the coral snake.
• Rattlesnakes do not always rattle before striking.
• All snakes (even venomous ones) are important to the ecosystem and help control rodents.
• How often a snake sheds its skin depends on how much it eats and, thus, how rapidly it grows.
• Some snakes give live birth; others lay eggs.
• Snakes can open their mouths so wide that they can swallow something many times larger than they are.
• All snakes have small teeth that curve backwards to help swallow prey.
• Pit vipers have specialized teeth (fangs) for injecting venom. Broken fangs are soon replaced by new ones.
• Always look before putting your hands under shrubbery or other outdoor items or before stepping over fallen logs.
• If bitten by a nonvenomous snake, wash the bite area with soap and water.
• If bitten by a venomous snake, seek medical attention immediately. Do not cut open the wound or apply a tourniquet.
• Approximately 7,500 people are bitten by venomous snakes each year in the United States, resulting in about five deaths. While these numbers are low, victims should seek medical care immediately.
• Most snakes, even venomous ones, are nonaggressive and do not chase people. If you encounter a snake outdoors, leave it alone and stay out of its way.
• Many snakebites occur while people are trying to handle snakes.
• Reducing cover for prey, such as mice, is one of the best ways to control snakes around your house
